After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Slave to My Beloved Wife (GL) - Chapter 16

Their breaths mingled, brushing softly between them. Jiang Nian, as if under a spell, found herself wanting to lean in just a little closer. But as soon as Qiao Wenyu opened her eyes, it was like electricity jolted through Jiang Nian’s entire body. She immediately straightened up and pretended nothing had happened.

The ghostly NPC had squatted nearby, intending to check on them, but upon seeing both were moving, she tried to spook them again.

Another shriek echoed through the woods.

But this time, Jiang Nian didn’t even flinch. She turned back and shot a glare at the ghost, her voice low and sharp with warning.
“If Wenyu’s hurt, I won’t let this slide.”

Intimidated by the pheromones of a top-tier alpha, the ghost NPC quickly bent over and apologized.
“I’m so sorry, President Jiang. I was just following the script. I didn’t think it would get this serious. Are you both okay?”

“Ahem… Sis, are you hurt?” Jiang Nian asked, eyes accidentally locking with Qiao Wenyu’s. Embarrassed, she quickly turned her head and cleared her throat to ease the tension.

Qiao Wenyu pushed herself up from the ground.
“I’m fine. Are you?”

Jiang Nian waved a hand dismissively.
“I’m good.”

After confirming they were both uninjured, they continued deeper into the forest. Since that scare, the other NPCs—who had been stationed along the path—seemed too intimidated to show themselves.

Though the trail was now clear, Jiang Nian still clung tightly to Qiao Wenyu’s arm.
“Sis… I’m still scared.”

Qiao Wenyu sighed internally. She’d seen with her own eyes how Jiang Nian had glared down a ghost just moments ago. Clearly, this fear had layers. Sometimes she was terrified, other times she was fearless.

Still, she let her hold on.

Along the path, they passed two other teams who looked completely shaken. Some of the omegas were deathly pale from the earlier NPC attacks.

The path led from the forest into a coastal area with jagged rocks. Jiang Nian followed the map carefully, searching for the entrance to the cave.

Near a group of boulders, she spotted a faint beam of light—like the glow of a flashlight.

If one of the earlier teams had moved slowly, it wouldn’t be strange to run into them here.

“Sis, I think the cave entrance is just down there. Want to go check it out?” Jiang Nian pointed toward the light.

Qiao Wenyu scanned the area. The terrain here was steep. To reach the cave, they’d have to jump down about a meter and a half. Waves occasionally surged through the gaps in the rocks.

“Xiao Nian, you’re wearing heels. It’s not safe. Let me go down.”

Jiang Nian glanced down at her shoes, frustrated, stomping her heel.
“Ugh. Next time, I swear I’m not wearing heels.”

“They’re nice, though,” Qiao Wenyu said, smiling before turning back toward the ledge.
“I’m going. Just wait here.”

“Be careful, Sis,” Jiang Nian said, standing at the edge.

With graceful ease, Qiao Wenyu jumped down and landed steadily. She looked up and waved to Jiang Nian before disappearing into the shadows.

Jiang Nian began pacing along the ledge. She kept glancing at her watch, then at the cave entrance, waiting for Qiao Wenyu to return.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then thirty.

Jiang Nian grew anxious. She crouched down and shouted toward the cave,
“Qiao Wenyu! Sis? Are you done yet?!”

The wind echoed through the rocks with a ghostly howl. No reply came.

Panic hit her like a wave. Without hesitation, Jiang Nian kicked off her heels and jumped down barefoot. Sharp stones sliced her feet, and bl00d quickly welled up from the cuts.

But she didn’t care. All she could think about was finding Qiao Wenyu.

“Sis! Qiao Wenyu!”
Jiang Nian held the flickering candle in her hand, the flame dancing in the breeze as she pushed deeper into the cave.

The seaside rocks were jagged and treacherous. Waves crashed against the shore with eerie resonance. The candlelight illuminated only a small patch around her, constantly at risk of blowing out.

Jiang Nian shielded the flame with her palm, cautiously navigating the cave, calling out with every step.

Nearly an hour passed.

Still, there was no sign of Qiao Wenyu.

It wasn’t until the production team arrived—flashlights in hand—that someone finally found her.

“Ah Nian! You and Wenyu weren’t back yet—I was freaking out!”
Jiang Fenyun’s beam landed squarely on Jiang Nian inside the cave.

Jiang Nian turned around, hollow-eyed, voice trembling.
“She’s gone. She’s… gone.”

“What did you say?” Jiang Fenyun froze.

“She’s gone! My sister is gone!”

Jiang Fenyun shined her light across the cave. It was true—only Jiang Nian was there.

The production team, realizing someone was missing, immediately called emergency rescue and summoned a professional search team.

Jiang Fenyun was the first to notice Jiang Nian’s feet—bleeding and battered. She rushed forward and stopped her.
“Your feet—you need medical attention.”

“I’m not leaving. We haven’t found her. I’m not going anywhere,” Jiang Nian snapped, her desperation bordering on obsession.

“Fine, fine. But at least put some shoes on, Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Fenyun had brought her heels down from the ledge and helped her slip them back on—anything to keep her from continuing barefoot.

Jiang Nian joined the rescue team, still limping but refusing to stop, combing the surrounding area for any trace of Qiao Wenyu.

Another hour passed.

Still no sign.

The rescue team finally decided to dispatch a dedicated search drone. The filming drones the crew had brought were useless now.

“Yes—the drone!” Jiang Nian suddenly realized. “The drone that was following Wenyu didn’t return either. This has to be deliberate!”

This wasn’t the first time Qiao Wenyu had been targeted. Considering the earlier marking incident, this disappearance was far too suspicious. It was likely premeditated.

The atmosphere turned tense, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone. Then, Tong Yunyao, who had been silent until now, pointed toward the rocky reef behind them and said,
“Maybe… Wenyu fainted somewhere over there?”

The rescue team exchanged glances. It was a reasonable theory, and they quickly dispatched a group to search the reef area.

“She’s here!” someone from the team shouted.

Jiang Nian shoved past the crowd and was the first to reach the scene. When she saw Qiao Wenyu—soaking wet and tied to the rocks—her heart clenched.

“Wenyu, wake up…” Jiang Nian gently caressed her icy-cold cheek.

Qiao Wenyu stirred slightly, letting out a faint groan. Her brows furrowed, but she soon lost consciousness again.

The rescue team rushed to untie her. Once she was freed, they placed her on a stretcher and carried her toward the waiting medical personnel on the beach.

She was quickly loaded into an ambulance.

Jiang Nian tried to follow, only to be blocked by a paramedic.
“Sorry, miss. This is a compact medical vehicle. No additional passengers allowed.”

Forced to stay behind, Jiang Nian didn’t return with the crew. Instead, she ran straight to the villa’s garage, jumped into a car, and floored the gas pedal toward the hospital.

The nearest hospital was a 30-minute drive. Jiang Nian, nearly frantic, ran two red lights and almost crashed at a turn.

But all she could think about was Qiao Wenyu.

By the time she arrived at the hospital, she found Qiao Wenyu in a recovery room, thanks to a message from the director.

A doctor inside noticed Jiang Nian’s worried look and explained the situation calmly:
“Miss, she was cold and in shock, but there’s no major issue. We’re giving her fluids. She just needs a couple days of rest.”

Only then did Jiang Nian finally exhale in relief.

“Miss, your feet look badly injured. Come with me and I’ll treat them,” the doctor offered kindly.

But Jiang Nian refused to leave Qiao Wenyu alone—not again. She would stay by her sister’s side every second, to make sure she never got hurt again.

The doctor saw how stubborn she was and didn’t push.
“Alright. Stay here then. The surgical ward’s busy right now. Once it quiets down, I’ll have someone come treat your feet. For now, at least stop the bleeding. Here—use these alcohol swabs.”

The room gradually quieted down.

As Qiao Wenyu’s IV drip emptied, she slowly regained consciousness. The first thing she saw was the doctor dressing Jiang Nian’s feet. Jiang Nian looked visibly pained, her brows drawn together tightly.

“You’re awake?” Jiang Nian immediately noticed the movement.

Qiao Wenyu’s voice was weak.
“Mm…”

“How do you feel? Are you okay?” Jiang Nian asked, gripping the bedrail, completely ignoring the pain in her own feet.

“I’m alright… sorry for worrying you all.”

Jiang Nian’s expression turned serious.
“Sis, who tied you to those rocks?”

Qiao Wenyu looked troubled. As she recalled what had happened before she fainted—being overwhelmed by pheromones and the blurry face she saw—her chest tightened in fear.

“Tell me who it was. I’ll help you,” Jiang Nian leaned closer.

The doctor cleared his throat.
“Miss, please don’t move. I’m still bandaging your feet.”

But Jiang Nian seemed numb to the pain.
“Tell me, Sis…”

“It was the same alpha who marked me last time,” Qiao Wenyu said slowly, her voice strained. “I saw their face… but I wasn’t fully conscious. I need to confirm it.”

Just as Jiang Nian had suspected—the same person was behind both incidents.

“Alright. Once you’re sure, tell me. I won’t let them get away with it,” Jiang Nian promised.

Qiao Wenyu sat up slowly.
“Xiao Nian, could you ask Tong Yunyao to come here?”

“Tong Yunyao? Her?”
Jiang Nian was surprised. After all, Tong Yunyao was a beta—completely devoid of pheromones. How could she be connected to a violent alpha like that?

Still, she did as requested and called her.

But Tong Yunyao didn’t come alone. Several other crew members came along as well.

Qiao Wenyu didn’t speak to Tong Yunyao right away. Instead, her eyes turned to Jiang Fenyun.
“President Jiang, did you and your teammate complete your task together?”

Jiang Fenyun didn’t understand why she was being asked that. She scratched her chin, thinking for a second, then answered honestly:
“Yes, we did. We finished together and went back to the villa to rest. I was downstairs in the garden smoking, and our room was the only one with the lights on.”